Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Little Dark Humor

A good while back I posted a blog about a friend of mine who'd been given only a short time to live by his doctor. Of course I can't find the post now, but in it I told my favorite story about my friend. Both then and now I will call him Joe.

I'll retell the short version for those that missed it. Joe came into work one night looking like someone had decided to grind his face into hamburger. His nose was bleeding, his lip swollen and busted, and the skin on his face was battered and red. When someone asked Joe what happened, he matter-of-factly stated, "I stopped at Toot and Totum on the way into work. While I was pumping gas I spotted this old boy I owed an ass whooping."

Before anyone could say a word, Joe piped in with, "Now I owe him two."

Shortly after that original post a miracle happened when Joe's cancer suddenly went into remission. The doctor's couldn't explain it, but the three months they had given him turned into better than a year of cancer free life fro Joe.

Three weeks ago those same doctors confirmed what Joe's body had already been telling him. The cancer was back.

Joe's stomach tumor grew five times in size in less than a month and now Joe is in yet another round of chemo in a battle for his life. Of course I'm pulling for him to win this battle, but given our usual banter is one of harassment and good natured ribbing I'm not going to put on satin gloves and treat him as a frail sickly invalid.

Joe would never want or expect me to do that.

So that brings us to my story. Last night while watching my beloved New Orleans Saints, under the stellar leadership of their QB Drew Brees, dismantle the Tom Brady led, almighty New England Patriots, Joe says, "Brees is okay but he's no Romo."

Joe like most folks here in Texas bleeds Dallas Cowboy blue. No one in their right mind would ever claim Dallas QB Tony Romo is better than Drew Brees but in the nature of our fun, Joe threw that statement out."

I countered with the truth that the sweat dripping from Brees's balls has more talent than Tony Romo.

So today Joe calls me up and says, "I can't take the risk of you being a pall bearer at my funeral and having you lean down and say Romo sucks just as they close the casket. So I'm gonna scratch your name off the list and add Tony Romo's."

Not about to give in I said, "Don't do that. Romo will miss the hole in the ground and dump you out right there on the hard cold earth."

Joe was admitted into the hospital tonight, but just a few minutes ago he called to tell me not to get my hopes up, he's not going anywhere until the Cowboys ruin the saints perfect season in a few weeks. I can only hope and pray that Joe will feel up to watching the game with me on December 19th, because despite his poor choice in football teams, he truly is a hell of a friend.

I almost feel bad for the beat down the Who Dats are gonna put on his beloved 'Boys. I said almost. I've been a Saints fan for far too many lean years not to thoroughly enjoy this shining season.


Geaux Saints!

The original Joe story can be found here. I owe the location of the link to the sleuth work of Hilary. Thanks Hilary.

18 comments:

David Cranmer said...

Joe sounds like someone I would love to call friend. My thoughts go out to both of you during this very difficult time.

Spy Scribbler said...

I'm embarrassed to admit I don't watch much football, but I'll cheer for Joe!

the walking man said...

If you Saints beat his Cowboys tell him the Lions where almost the same colors, he can become their fan and that way they will always rise to the expectation.

Corey Wilde said...

A timely post, in ways you cannot imagine. I'll be cheering for Joe AND for the Saints. (Hey, the Rams aren't going anywhere and I have to cheer for somebody.)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Joe sounds like he's got a great sense of humor! If you can joke around about the serious things in life, your priorities are straight!

Monnik said...

Oh Travis, this is a great post. You are clearly an awesome friend, and I'm sure Joe appreciates your humor and friendship as he deals with this.

Your Saints are fun to watch this year. Please, please, PLEASE make sure that they take out the Vikings in the playoffs... It would kill me to watch Favre win the superbowl in a purple jersey.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Travis, I'm glad you're able to act like normal friends in the face of such sadness. I'm sure he appreciates you more than you can imagine.

A good friend of mine who passed LOVED one of the hockey teams I despise (the Devils *shudder*) but because I miss our back and forth, I always give them a little shout-out on his behalf.

Charles Gramlich said...

"He's no Romo!" OMG, I was eating a handful of peanuts when I read that and blew some of them out my nose. That has got to be the funniest statement I've ever heard! Your friend has a wonderful sense of humor!

Eric said...

I'm sorry to hear about your friend Joe, but I will add a prayer for him. I hope Joe is able to watch the "boys" smack your Saints around, just because. I always root for the underdogs :) Comes from being a Dolphins fan for eons.

Hilary said...

I'm sorry that your friend is not doing well but he sure has a hell of a sense of humor which no doubt has helped him through a lot. Geaux Jeaux!

A hint for finding past posts which elude you by title... Go for the words (or better by a phrase) which you know you used in the post and use the search feature at the top left of your blog. A quick search for "Joe" yielded about a dozen posts.. among them this one.

http://traviserwin.blogspot.com/2008/07/character-of-good-character.html

Corrie Howe said...

I get Tony Romo would do it too, just based upon the good Samaritan stories on him.

I think it is great that Joe still has a sense of humor about what he is going through.

BTW, I'm not a fan of any one team, I've moved around all my life. But I am a fan of football. But I still hate Drew for messing up my Fantasy Football game this week. I was so close...

Melissa Amateis said...

You two have the best kind of friendship there is.

Linda McLaughlin said...

Travis, you and Joe remind me of my dad and his friends. Male bonding at its best. I hope Joe is well enough to watch that game with you on the 19th. This will be a difficult time for both of you, but Joe is lucky to have you as a friend.

erica m. chapman said...

Aw, you guys sound like a good pair :o) You and he are in my thoughts and prayers.

Well since I have Romo as my fantasy QB, and I'm a die hard Lions fan (yes folks we do exist) I have to root for the Cowboys-- don't worry though, I have Carney as my kicker- so I'll root for NO too... Drew is pretty awesome (I would've rather had him!)

I will pray that Joe gets to watch the game with you :)

Alyssa Goodnight said...

Great story--it's clear that Joe's a fighter. I don't follow football either, but I have a feeling that I'll be thinking of Joe on Dec. 19.

Bernita said...

Your post is realy about courage, and it's very moving.

Annie said...

Good friends are hard to come by. I'm glad the two of you found each other.

Lana Gramlich said...

Best of luck to Joe, but...WHO DAT!